Farmers 'need to be more agile and resourceful than ever' as subsidies start to decline

L-R – Paul Rice (Wright Hassall), Adam Quinney (AHDB), Oliver McEntyre (Barclays), Nick Abell (Wright Hassall / CWLEP)
L-R – Paul Rice (Wright Hassall), Adam Quinney (AHDB), Oliver McEntyre (Barclays), Nick Abell (Wright Hassall / CWLEP)

Farmers and related services will have to be more agile and resourceful 'than ever before' as subsidies start to decline – a leading agricultural lawyer has warned.

Paul Rice, head of the agricultural sector group at Wright Hassall, addressed farmers and businesses from the rural sector at the firm’s Agricultural Christmas Conference, ‘The future of farming in a post-Brexit world’.

Rice said: “I get slightly troubled by the constant labelling of farming and related services being part of the rural economy. We are actually part of the economy per se, and a very important part of it, but sadly one which is often overlooked by Government.

“The industry has not, perhaps, been vocal enough in advocating its worth in both real and added value terms to the country’s economy.

The UK food industry is bigger than the UK automotive and aviation sectors combined. The CLA Rural Business 2030 report said that on average £13bn is invested by rural businesses each year - which is double that of the car industry.

Mr Rice continued: “Like all industries we are operating in a time of general uncertainty – but that said, one thing is certain, that farmers and related services will have to be more agile and resourceful than ever before as direct payments to the sector start to decline.

“There have been reassurances that money will continue to be paid to the sector after leaving the EU but not a single commentator has suggested that the level will be anywhere near the current level.

“The industry has to be on a quest of constant improvement. That might be through maximising yields through improving soil health, moving to spring cropping and operating more efficiently, it might be through machinery sharing agreements with neighbouring farmers or joining buying groups.

Mr Rice concluded: “Many farmers, certainly in the Midlands, have diversified but there is still masses more which could be done to supplement income. That should be explored – and explored now.”